Merici College #YearofYouth #SpreadingJoy

"You are capable of doing anything, use your emotional intelligence, be kind and respectful to others, never limit yourself to learning only one thing in life, never let being a woman hold you back from anything in life."

On Tuesday, 5 February 2018 Merici College students were welcomed by staff at an Opening School Assembly with Mrs Wholley and the School Captains talking about this year’s theme, Year of Youth and Spreading Joy.

“As I reminisce back 30 years ago, when I completed my secondary education at a Catholic all-girls school, it’s hard to believe that 30 years have passed and thanks to social media, I have been able to keep in touch with quite a few of my fellow students. In recent communication with some of my school friends, we reflected on what we had achieved and who we had become. We looked at the qualities we felt we needed in life, to succeed, like being resilience, accepting, kind, community minded, loyalty, adaptable, a peacemaker, hardworking, compassionate, strong, courageous, determined, just to name a few. Here at Merici this year, I challenge you to learn something new – give it a go, believe in yourself – you are capable of doing anything, use your emotional intelligence, be kind and respectful to others, never limit yourself to learning only one thing in life, never let being a woman hold you back from anything in life. You never know what’s going to be thrown at you, life is tough and can be cruel, However, you cannot have a rainbow without rain!”, said Mrs Wholley.

Mrs Wholley went on to talk about the College’s theme. “Over the next few weeks you will learn more about our new St Angela Merici Rose. You will be invited to create and decorate a square tile to capture the meaning of our theme this year, Year of Youth and Spreading Joy. The square tiles will be used to create a mosaic. A mosaic is made up of individual pieces, each unique in their own right: with different sizes; colours and shapes. However, when these individual pieces come together, a wonderful pattern results. The complete beauty of the whole picture depends on each part and how it relates to each other. Each piece needs the surrounding pieces to bring out its full beauty. The little piece and the big picture need each other – they are inter-dependent. By working harmoniously with each other we add the beauty of life. Each of you are an individual piece in the Mosaic of Merici. You are special and beautiful, but when we compliment each other, that is when we create a wonderful masterpiece and an outstanding community. “

Merici College School Leaders Olivia Straker (College Captain) and Bronte Alexander (College Vice Captain) also inspired the students with their interpretation of the meaning of Year of Youth. “Our College theme not only celebrates 10 years since World Youth Day but also invites the Church to nurture the physical, emotional and spiritual well-being of young people. Year of Youth is centred around working in partnership with each other and the Holy Spirit and opening your Spirit to others to renew the Catholic Church. It is an acknowledgement of young people and an invitation to be involved in a civilisation of love and joy. In the words of Pope Benedict XVI, “You were not made for comfort, you were made for greatness”. At Merici this year, we will be focusing on local renewal and engagements of young people in our community. The theme is asking you to think about what you would can do to achieve personal growth. We call upon every student and encourage you not to be afraid of setting out new and uncharted paths and taking a leap of faith, to uphold and discover joy within your lives. We challenge you to be more like St Angela Merici by spreading your own joy to others.

“Our vision for 2018 is to encourage you to be the best version of yourselves while further developing an environment within Merici that truly feels like a family. We all have a common goal, which is to unify us as a College and become closer, as we spread our joy to one another.”

Mrs Wholley concluded the assembly by wishing all students and staff all the best for 2018, a Year of Youth and Spreading Joy, “Be a proud Merici College student, listen with love, learn with hope, live with faith, and in line with our theme keep #spreadingjoy.”

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